Among the diagnostic programs designed to test and verify the stability of the RAM memory of any computer, Memtest86+ it is undoubtedly one of the best known, appreciated and used. Its main function is to identify any errors in the system memorywhich may cause problems such as crashes, errors when using applications, or unpredictable behavior.
Memtest86+ must be run using abootable USB drive: By setting the correct boot sequence in the BIOS, the program will be automatically loaded. As soon as it is running, Memtest86+ performs a series of tests on the RAM memory: the checks include writing and reading data on various parts of the memory to identify any errors.
The user can view, in real time, the total amount of memory, the number of tests performed, the number of errors detected and other technical information. The program offers a simple text interface (it has no GUI): errors are highlighted so you can easily identify them.
What’s new in the new version of Memtest86+
The last one Memtest86+ update it arrived about two years ago, when the application presented itself in a renewed guise after a very long wait, which had lasted since the early 2000s. Now the utility reaches its major release 7.0 featuring a couple of really cool additional features.
With the complete rewriting the source code of Memtest86+ V6, the authors of the program have prepared the ground for the launch of a whole series of new features.
So the new version (7.0) of the program introduces support for “live” RAM settings. RAM settings include parameters such as memory frequency (or speed), latency times, voltage, and other advanced options. Memtest86+ becomes able to interact with the memory settings in real time by dialoguing (activities polling) With the’IMC (Integrated Memory Controller)the component of the processor that manages communication between the latter and RAM.
Memtest86+ V7 also introduces experimental support for the polling ECC (Error Correction Code). ECC RAMs are memories capable of identifying and correcting errors at the bit level. By leveraging the pollingMemtest86+ can monitor and detect any errors fixed by ECC memory while the system is running and placed under stressed conditions.
The “live” RAM setting is supported in the case of all CPU Intel, including those of the 14th generation. ECC RAM, on the other hand, is currently being tested only with some processor models AMD Ryzen.
Adding support for MMIO UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter) also means that Memtest86+ can now interact with UART components, which allow serial communication, through direct memory mapping.
The possible uses of Memtest86+
Due to the simplicity of Memtest86+, users can easily resort to this utility to locate the RAM problems related to a specific memory module or DIMM slot.
Many fans of overclocking using Memtest86+ in turn to identify the optimal settings (also in terms of voltages involved…) in order to obtain a stable memory configuration. Depending on the amount of RAM installed and its performance, Memtest86+ may take a long time to complete the test.
The developers provide the ISO images to be used for loading the program onto a bootable USB stick. The new version can be downloaded from the official website by referring to the links that appear in the right box, below the entry Download latest version.
To prepare a external USB support with Memtest86+, you can use Rufus. If you wanted to insert Memtest86+ in a bootable drive which also contains other elements (such as a Linux distribution, Windows installation media or other utilities…) you can use Ventoy, a utility to boot multiple ISO images from the same USB boot drive.
Memtest86+ should not be confused with MemTest86, a paid application developed by PassMark. It also allows you to try the RAM highlighting any defects. At the time of writing, the last update dates back to October 2023.
Opening image credit: iStock.com – david f